Sedgwick County Zoo pursues gorilla breeding

Wichita  A Kansas zoo is hoping to hear the pitter patter of baby gorilla feet by 2014.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the Sedgwick County Zoo has nine male gorillas. But officials confirmed that a 33-year-old female gorilla from Philadelphia is arriving in the spring, and an 11-year-old female from Calgary is expected as soon as late summer.

Meanwhile, three male gorillas will go to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn.

The move comes after the national coordinator of the Species Survival Plan recommended last week that the zoo be entrusted with breeding gorillas.

Currently, there are about 350 gorillas on exhibit at 52 zoos across the U.S. To keep the population steady, the survival plan calls for 10 to 14 babies to be born each year.